CSULB EL-MSN Fall 2009--any applicants/ current students?

Nursing Students Post Graduate

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Hi, everyone! I am getting ready to submit my application to CSULB's EL-MSN program--who else is applying?

Also are there any current students or graduates from this program out there? What do you think of the program--can you offer any advice?

Thanks!!

pandora12,

Thanks for your info! that sucks to hear about the FNP part...

how specifically are the courses not taught well or not useful?

is it really hard to find a job as an RN right now, even with the economy? i thought the role would still be in demand even though the economy is a bit restricting...

levoila...

correct me if wrong, but from the research that i have gathered....

going for CNS would be like on another track, just like how NP would be on a separate track. i haven't read anything about going for your NP license with the requirement of doing a CNS coursework. CNS would be separate and focused on the particular specialty no? looks like students can pick between them if desired...

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From the info session I attended last Fall, I understood that the EL-BSN/MSN program would lead to the CNS specialty. Then, upon completing the program, we'd be able to transition into the NP post-master's certification without having to reapply.

Becoming a CNS is not a prerequisite for becoming a NP. For example, if I had completed an A-BSN program, gotten experience, then applied to NP MSN programs, that would have worked. The difference with CSULB's EL-BSN/MSN program (so I was informed) was that is was geared specifically to produce clinical nurse specialists, not nurse practitioners. However, if we chose to stick around, as CSULB grad students, we'd be able to complete the NP post master's without having to reapply.

When pandora12 posted that she was in the FNP track, that surprised me because from what I remember, we would have to complete the CNS coursework before transitioning to the NP post-master's. So my question then became, after finishing the BSN, are we able to choose the track we want to pursue--rather than the preset CNS track. I hope that makes sense :uhoh3: haha

I think that having the CNS training will be helpful for managing acute patients and I wouldn't mind the extra training before completing my ultimate goal of becoming a NP--especially if the NP classes are as disappointing as pandora12 says. After getting the MSN, we can get the post-master's anywhere else if there is a better program out there.

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Actually, in our student contract when we first entered the ELM program, we were all suppose to be on the CNS track. Then after the graduate director polled us during our undergrad portion on who would want CNS as oppose to NP route, no one who was continuing on the masters wanted to go the CNS route. Thus, they altered our program for us.

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oh! wow! I wonder if they would be willing to do that again.

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oh wow, cool and interesting!

that means more reading to do, hehe

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has anyone been able to log onto beachboard? i've been trying to log onto TIM, but it says "The information used to login is not correct." then i tried to retrieve a password, but "The user ID is missing." came up...

I'm thinking i may need to check with enrollment services to clear things up?

anyone else having similar probs? i got the email and i guess maybe the univesity is still slow at it...

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You probably have to call to be admitted to the university. Try calling the number that was posted earlier in this thread. I was able to log in after being admitted over the phone last month.

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anyone inquired about the WPE? or scheduled to take it? or took it already?

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i took the WST at SJSU before I applied to transfer there and I'm hoping that they'd take the results for it...I'm going to ask tomorrow...i think its the same test, but different name

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I'm registered to take it on September 26. I think you can register for that date until September 4. I don't remember which other dates were available. I just wanted to get it out of the way.

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Sheesh, I know the last post was from 2009, but several people private messaged me over the last 2 yrs or so asking what I ended up doing with the FNP program and what I thought about the program. I, seriously, could not find the button to private message back. Then realized....well, duh, I only put 2 posts on this site since then and I need a minimum of 15 post to post message back. I would be lucky if people even went back to this post to reread this message. After this post, only 12 more posts to go.

I'm so sorry all!

So, it has been about 2 yrs since I last posted about going through the FNP program. I ended up switching to the PNP track and loved it. I'm more of a peds person. I wouldn't have minded adults.....but the thought of doing physicals on adults and geriatrics and having to do pap smears gave me the shivers.

Some of the classes I had taken before going to the Pediatric NP core classes I thought were taught ineffectively. Ex. taking pharmacology and pathophysiology in 6 wks each. Does CSULB really think we are going to retain all that info in a short enough time for it to actually be utilized in an effective way? Probably not.

Overall, though I was glad I went through the graduate program there. I'm not currently working as a PNP, but as an RN. I still have to take the board exam and I'm sure it will kick my butt since I should have taken it within two months of graduating last year.

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Hi Pandora12 - I can't believe you answered a thread 2 years later. :) I am starting the ELMSN program this fall (very excited!!) and was looking for as much info as I can on the program. I hope you wouldn't mind answering a couple of questions I have...

1) do you think it's possible to work at least part time after the first 16 months, starting the masters portion? I have enough money saved to not work for at least 18 months. After that I'll be flat broke and don't want to totally depend on being able to get financial aid (ie loans) to get me through the last couple of years (my final goal is FNP).

2) did graduating from CSULB help you in job hunting in any way?

I have a family to support so the financial part of quitting a steady job and going back to school full time weighs heavily in the back of my mind. Any info you can provide will be greatly appreciated.

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